Randaberg Feasibility Study
The feasibility study is a preliminary to the upcoming plan for Randaberg. The study builds on the identity of “the green village” by limiting urban sprawl, preserving cultivated land and facilitating environmentally friendly and sustainable urban development of the village. The study emphasizes a realistic approach with a long-term perspective. There is a strong focus on temporalities and how to ensure the quality of areas that should be a reserve for future development.
The study aims at securing sufficient areas for development until 2050. The programming contains all the central urban functions. Climate and especially wind has been a vital factor in the solutions chosen. Street structure, facade lengths, varying design and building heights are all designed to reduce wind exposure and secure local climatic zones promoting social life outdoors all year. Furthermore, a planting strategy has envisioned where the vegetation is used as a wind shield, in addition to increasing the natural diversity and solve issues with potential urban flooding.
A key objective has been to make the whole village dementia-friendly. So far dementia-villages have been used mainly as a typology for health institutions. In this work, the strategies are taken from the institutional framework and employed throughout the centre. Other important considerations have been to build on findings from the existing children- and youth surveys.
The densification strategy is linked to the gradual transition from surface parking to underground parking in central Randaberg. This is supplemented by a better facilitation for pedestrians and cyclists and a strengthening of the green mobility. The project aims to reach the goal of a ten-minute city, where people can reach all daily activities within ten minutes by foot from their homes. The study solves 75 % of housing needs for the next 30 years within the same short distance from the center.
The feasibility study is based on a thorough site analysis as the basis for the choices made. Regional affiliation, road system, property structure, topography, local business forms and history have shaped the settlement in Randaberg, and this historical backdrop form the basis for the proposed solution. Furthermore, emphasis has been placed upon building on and underlining goals and strategies laid down by the overarching municipal plan. Long-term development requires fidelity to goals and strategies made all the more feasible by consist implementation in leading documents.
With limited space in the center and a limited growth impetus for business and trade, it is important that all pieces are placed correctly on first attempt. The feasibility study ensures this through phase division, conscious programming and focus on temporary use – also temporary use of existing buildings for start-ups and cultural entrepreneurs. In the transformation of older buildings, strategies have been considered for reuse of building material to reduce the project’s overall climate footprint.
The central square is the heart of the village. This is closed for transit and thus becomes both larger and more people-friendly. When designing, emphasis is placed on retaining a size suitable for various activities while creating zones with varying degrees of activity level and shielding. Randaberg has particularly good conditions for facilitating trends such as sharing economy, car-free life, self-cultivation and consumption of local produce. The link to food production is proposed to be strengthened and has the potential to become a regional attraction.
